Room sensor applications and techniques

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and system to provide automated audio video conferencing in a conference room. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a mobile device having one or more processors and circuitry. The circuitry may execute a first logic, a second logic and a third logic. The first logic may be configured to receive instructions to connect the mobile device to a wireless equipment in a conference room. The second logic may be configured to obtain conference room information. The third logic may be configured to transmit a request to pair with a wireless equipment in the conference room. The third logic may be further configured to: receive information in a first communication mode that a code challenge will be issued, receive a code challenge in the second communication mode and pair the mobile device with the wireless equipment.

The instant application claims the filing date priority of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/622,445 (U.S. Pat. No. 10,893,147), filed onJun. 14, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/496,972 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,710,214), filed Sep. 25, 2014 which in turnclaims the filing date priority to the Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/992,514, filed May 3, 2014. The instant disclosure is also acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/128,001 (U.S. Pat. No.9,513,861), filed Dec. 20, 2013. The disclosures of all referencedapplications are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and system to provideautomated audio video conferencing in a conference room augmented withwireless system and software.

Description of Related Art

Conventional conference room setup is difficult, tedious andcomplicated. Presentations and conference calls are often cumbersome toset up. The setup procedure varies for each conference room and for eachdevice. For example, the user has to manually configure the informationon a laptop, tablet or other smart devices which can be bothtime-consuming and error prone. Other members of the meeting must usedial-in instructions for audio connection. Conference members may haveto follow a different set of instructions to join the audio/videoconference.

The conventional systems are particularly difficult if the conferenceattendees have to share a presentation screen and present material.Therefore, there are ongoing needs for improvements in meeting roomsetup and automation to enhance the user experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be discussed withreference to the following exemplary and non-limiting illustrations, inwhich like elements are numbered similarly, and where:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary system and environment according to an embodimentof the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary process for paring a user device to a wirelessprojector in a conference room according to one embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a screenshot of proximity detection meeting and callinformation updated in an exemplary conference application;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an exemplary application according to oneembodiment of the disclosure for automated dimming of conference roomlight during a presentation;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary representation of an environment according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram for implementing an embodiment ofthe disclosure; and

FIG. 7 schematically shows an exemplary device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, asensor device, a Bluetooth (BT) device, an Ultrabook™, a notebookcomputer, a tablet computer, a handheld device, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on board device, anoff-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehiculardevice, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile ornon-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wirelesscommunication device, a wireless Access Point (AP), a wired or wirelessrouter, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, anaudio-video (AV) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless areanetwork, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network(LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a WirelessPAN (WPAN), and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networksoperating in accordance with existing Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standards (IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE Standardfor Information technology-Telecommunications and information exchangebetween systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specificrequirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) andPhysical Layer (PHY) Specifications, Mar. 29, 2012; IEEE 802.11 taskgroup ac (TGac) (“IEEE 802.11-09/0308r12-TGac Channel Model AddendumDocument”); IEEE 802.11 task group ad (TGad) (IEEE 802.11ad-2012, IEEEStandard for Information Technology and brought to market under theWiGig brand—Telecommunications and Information Exchange BetweenSystems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications—Amendment 3: Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the60 GHz Band, 28 Dec. 2012)) and/or future versions and/or derivativesthereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existingWireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Alliance (WFA) Peer-to-Peer (P2P)specifications (Wi-Fi P2P technical specification, version 1.2, 2012)and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing cellular specificationsand/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPPLong Term Evolution (LTE), and/or future versions and/or derivativesthereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existingWireless HDTM specifications and/or future versions and/or derivativesthereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, andthe like.

Some embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the BT and/orBluetooth low energy (BLE) standard. As briefly discussed, BT and BLEare wireless technology standard for exchanging data over shortdistances using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the industrial,scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands (i.e., bands from 2400-2483.5MHz). BT connects fixed and mobile devices by building personal areanetworks (PANs). Bluetooth uses frequency-hopping spread spectrum. Thetransmitted data are divided into packets and each packet is transmittedon one of the 79 designated BT channels. Each channel has a bandwidth of1 MHz. A recently developed BT implementation, Bluetooth 4.0, uses 2 MHzspacing which allows for 40 channels.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-wayradio communication systems, a BT device, a BLE device, cellularradio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellulartelephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS)device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device,a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a devicewhich incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device whichincorporates an RFID element or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output(MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO)transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiveror device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or externalantennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems,multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handhelddevice, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)device, or the like. Some demonstrative embodiments may be used inconjunction with a WLAN. Other embodiments may be used in conjunctionwith any other suitable wireless communication network, for example, awireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN and the like.

The conventional conference room presentations and conference callssetup procedures are tedious. The user must manually configure a varietyof communication information in the laptop, tablet, smartphone or theSTA. This process is time-consuming and error prone. Embodimentsprovided herein significantly simplify the set up procedure for aconference room environment. The disclosed embodiments may be applied tolaptops, tablet computers, smartphones and other mobile devices or otherSTAs. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a so-called smart room sensorand/or proximity technology is used to improve efficiency and enhanceuser experience.

Conventional room sensors are based on either Infrared/video cameras ormicrophones which provide room occupancy information to the IT hub. Forexample, attendees have to open their mobile devices and wirelessly scanfor available services. In addition, attendees have to physically lookfor device IDs with appropriate labels. Each attendee must pair devices(if not paired earlier) which includes typing certain information uniqueto the room to authenticate attendee's presence. In situations where theidentification numbers are dynamically changing, the process must berepeated for each device. To dial into the telephone conference bridge,the attendee has to manually provide the teleconference number to theconferencing software (e.g., Microsoft Lync®). Next, the presenter mustmanually dim room lighting and roll down a projection screen prior to avideo presentation. This process is cumbersome and error prone.

An embodiment of the disclosure configures one or more of an in-roomsensors or a wireless projector (or other wireless presentationequipment) to automate these and other related functions. For example,the automated process enables a conference attendee's device toautomatically obtain conference room information, authenticate itspresence in the conference room and dynamically pair with wirelessequipment (e.g., wireless projector) after the user initiates theprocess with just one click. The automated system enables automatic ordynamic connection to conference room equipment including a wirelessprojector, single click (interchangeably, one click) dial into phonebridge with applicable software, optional light control for videopresentation, optional pairing with other attendees' devices andupdating the conference room occupancy status. The disclosed embodimentsobviate the steps of discovering, pairing, connecting and controllingmultiple systems and devices that are conventionally done manually.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary system and environment according to an embodimentof the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows environment 100 havinguser devices 102 and wireless sensor 122. User devices may includecomputers, tablets, smartphones or any other device configured forwireless communication. A wireless sensor may be integrated with awireless projector, a conference room wireless lighting system or anyother conference room device. In one embodiment, the wireless sensor maybe integrated with a room sensor or a hub for managing the conferenceroom automation. Wireless sensor 122 may be configured to integrate orcommunicate with user device 102 in the conference room or otherperipheral services (e.g., printer, phone system, other users, etc.)

System 100 may also be used for wireless discovery and pairing of thewireless device with the appropriate conference room. The '001Application, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, disclosesexemplary embodiments for user device 102 discovering the conferenceroom it is attending. While system 100 is shown with user device 102,the disclosure is not limited thereto and multiple user devices maysimultaneously engage network 120 to communicate with wireless sensor122. User device 102 may include one or more computer processors 104,memory circuitry 106 which may store a communication application(interchangeably, communication software) 108, first radio transceiver110, second radio transceiver 112, network and input/output (I/O)interfaces 114, display 116 and optional microphone 118.

As stated, wireless sensor 122 may be integrated with a projector toform a wireless projector configured to wirelessly communicate with userdevice 102. The wireless sensor may additionally communicate with and/orcontrol one or more display devices in the conference room. Wirelesssensor 122 may include communication application 128, residing in memory126. Communication application may comprise logic modules to identifyuser device 102, and upon receiving the user's single click, to initiatecommunication with the user device and to authenticate the user deviceso as to provide seamless presentation in the conference room. Wirelesssensor 122 may additionally include one or more processors 124, memory126, first radio transceiver 128, second radio transceiver 130, networkand input/output (I/O) interfaces 132, display 134 and acoustictransceiver 136.

Each of user device 102 and wireless sensor 122 may include a proximitydetector. In an exemplary embodiment, second radio 112 of user device102 may communicate with second radio 130 of sensor 122 to detectwhether they are in the same room. If wireless sensor 122 is determinedto be in the same room as user device 102, then first radio 110 of theuser device 102 may communicate with first radio 128 of wireless sensor122 to establish a streaming wireless display connection. It should benoted that all radio transceivers described with respect to user device102 and wireless sensor 122 may be configured to receive and/or transmitany type of radio signals (e.g., Wi-Fi, BT/BLE, Cellular, etc.) Whilenot shown, user device 102 and wireless sensor 122 may also includeapparatus, system and software for infrared signaling. Acoustictransceiver 136 of wireless sensor 122 may emit sound signals which arereceived by microphone 118 of user device 102.

Processors 104/124 may comprise one or more processor cores and may beconfigured to access and execute (at least in part) computer-readableinstructions stored in the memory 106/126, respectively. Processors104/124 may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), acomplex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or anycombination thereof. User device 102 may also include a chipset (notshown) for controlling communications between processors 104/124 andother components of user device 102.

Memory circuitries 106/126 may comprise one or more computer-readablestorage media (CRSM). In some embodiments, the memory 106/126 mayinclude non-transitory media such as random access memory (RAM), flashRAM, magnetic media, optical media, solid-state media, and so forth. Thememory 106 may be volatile (in that information is retained whileproviding power) or non-volatile (in that information is retainedwithout providing power). Additional embodiments may also be provided asa computer program product including a transitory machine-readablesignal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples ofmachine-readable signals include, but are not limited to, signalscarried by the Internet or other networks. For example, distribution ofsoftware via the Internet may include a transitory machine-readablesignal. Additionally, the memory 106/126 may store an operating systemthat includes a plurality of computer-executable instructions that maybe implemented by the processors 104/124 to perform a variety of tasksto operate the interface(s) and any other hardware installed on userdevice 102. Memory circuitries 106/126 may also store content that maybe displayed by user device 102 or transferred to other devices (e.g.,headphones) to be displayed or played by the other devices. Memorycircuitries 106/126 may store content received from other devices. Thecontent from the other devices may be displayed, played, or used by userdevice 102 to perform necessary tasks or operations that may beimplemented by computer processors 104/124 or other components indevices 102/122.

The network and I/O interfaces 114/134 may comprise one or morecommunication interfaces or network interface devices to provide fordata transfer between the user device 102 and another device (e.g.,network server) via an auxiliary network (not shown). The communicationinterfaces may include PANs, LANs, WLANs, wireless wide area networks(WWANs). User device 102 may be coupled to the network via a landlineconnection. Wireless system interfaces may also include the hardware andsoftware to broadcast and receive messages wirelessly through network120.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the communication interfaces mayuse acoustic, radio frequency, optical, or other signals to exchangedata between user device 102, wireless sensor 122 and other device suchas an AP, a host computer, a server, a router, a reader device or aprinter. Network 120 may include Internet, a private network, a virtualprivate network, a wireless WAN, a LAN, a metropolitan area network or atelephone network.

Display 116/134 may include any conventional display medium. The displaymay be used to show content to a user in the form of text, images orvideo. In certain embodiments, the display may also operate as a touchscreen display to enable user communication.

System 100 allows user device 102 to automatically establish a wirelessdisplay connection with a wireless sensor 122 when the user is detectedin the conference room. In another embodiment, user device 102 maydetect presence of multiple wireless display devices in the conferenceroom. Therefore, according to embodiments described herein, systems andmethods are provided to facilitate identification of each of thediscovered devices in the room. The '001 Application, which isincorporated herein in its entirety, provides exemplary systems andmethod for wireless sensor discovery and pairing.

In one embodiment, wireless sensor 122 may be configured to periodicallyadvertise and/or broadcast identification information to other wirelessdevices in the room (i.e., user device 102). User device 102 may receivean indication from the user (not shown) to search and/or otherwisedetect the presence of wireless display devices or wireless sensor 122.Communication application 128 may be configured to detect presence ofuser device 102 in the conference room, authenticate the user device andpair user device 102 to a conference room device (e.g., wirelessprojector).

In another exemplary embodiment, user device 102 may initiate a commandto detect presence of wireless sensor 122. Communication application 108of user device 102 may be configured to detect one or more wirelesssensors 122 via first or second radio 112. In certain embodiments,second radio 112 may be a BT or BLE transceiver configured forshort-range detection. In certain other embodiments, the second radio112 may be associated with other communication modes. In one embodiment,user device 102 may detect presence of multiple wireless sensors 122.Each wireless sensor may be associated with a different conference roomdevice or service.

In one embodiment, communication application 108 or 128 may beconfigured to determine respective received signal strength indications(RSSIs) associated with other wireless devices. The communicationapplication may then identify the device associated with RSSI andcommunicate with the device only if the RSSI is above a predeterminedthreshold. Thus, user device 102 may estimate whether wireless sensor122 is in the same or an adjacent conference room. Conversely,communication application 128 of wireless sensor 122 may determine basedon a weak RSSI, that user device 102 is not in the conference room beingserviced. Communication applications 108/128 may be configured totransmit respective connection requests (e.g., via the second radio112/130) to one or more identified wireless devices. Responsive to theconnection request, the identified wireless devices may transmit aconnection response to the initial device pairing request.

In some implementations, the connection response may include wirelessaddress identifiers and inaudible audio signal identifiers. For example,an identified wireless projector may be associated with a wirelessaddress identifier and an inaudible audio signal identifier. Theinaudible audio signaling may comprise ultrasound signaling. If thereare multiple wireless projectors, each may be configured to transmit aunique wireless address identifier and inaudible audio signal identifierto user device 102. According to some embodiments, a wireless addressidentifier may include a Wi-Fi Media Access Control (MAC) address.

Communication application 108 may be further configured to transmitinstructions (e.g., via the second radio transceiver 112) to wirelesssensor 122 to send/emit inaudible audio signals. In response, thewireless sensor 122 may be configured to send/emit (e.g., via theirrespective acoustic emitters 136) inaudible audio signals to user device102. According to certain embodiments, the inaudible audio signals maybe ultrasound audio signals associated with a frequency of 20 KHz orabove. Upon transmission, microphone 118 of user device 102 may receivethe inaudible audio signals. Each inaudible audio signal may includerespective signature information to correspond to a unique device.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary process for paring a user device to a wirelessprojector in a conference room. In FIG. 2, the vertical linesschematically represent the process timeline. While the pairing processis shown between device 202 and wireless projector 204, the disclosedembodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a conference roomwireless sensor may be used in place of wireless projector 204. Inanother exemplary embodiment, wireless pairing may be done with bothwireless projector 204 and a room sensor (not shown).

At step 203, the user initiates device detection through mobile device202. Detection may be initiated when the user opens the communicationsoftware residing on the mobile device. The process may be initiatedwith one-click on an application on the mobile device. Once initiated,mobile device 202 seeks to connect to wireless projector 204. Step 203may include proximity detection between user device 202 and wirelessprojector 204. Step 206 enables mobile device to detect which room thedevice is located after communicating (e.g., through BLE/eachultrasound) with one or more room sensors. The room sensors may be indifferent rooms. A room sensor may reside inside the wireless projectoror at a wireless sensor hub.

At step 206, device 202 discovers room information. Room discovery canbe implemented according to the exemplary embodiments of the '001Application, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Step 206 maybe implemented at a wireless environment similar to that shown atFIG. 1. By way of example, device 202 may receive BT/BLE advertisementfrom several nearby conference rooms and through an authenticationprocess determine which conference room it is attending. Theauthentication process may include BT/BLE as well as infrared orultrasound signaling. The process of step 206 may be implemented througha wireless room sensor. Once authenticated, device 202 discovers roominformation, including conference telephone number for the room as wellas other information pertaining to the room. Additional information mayinclude the room location or room number, the MAC address of thewireless projector or the specific sequence number related to ultrasoundverification.

Once room information is obtained (step 206), the user devices may alsobe provided with wireless projector ID. User device 202 and wirelessprojector 204 may be paired by the process shown in steps 210-218 forfirst time pairing. At step 210, device 202 sends a pairing request towireless projector 204. To authenticate the presence of device 202 inthe conference room, wireless projector 204 may issue a so-called codechallenge. The code challenge process can be used to preventnon-attending devices from taking control of wireless projector 204 orother conference room equipment. The code challenge is also effective atpreventing presentation in an unintended adjacent conference room. Anexemplary code challenge according to one embodiment of the disclosureincludes using different communication modes to confirm and authenticatepresence of mobile device 202 in the same conference room as wirelessprojector 204.

At step 212, wireless projector 204 sends a code challenge to mobiledevice 202. The code challenge may be in the first communication mode(e.g., BT/BLE) and contain information that indicate an authorizationcode will be forthcoming in a second communication mode (e.g.,ultrasound or infrared). At step 214, wireless projector 204 sendsmobile device 202 the code portion of the code challenge in a secondcommunication mode. The ultrasound code may be received by the wirelessdevice's microphone (not shown). The ultrasound code will be received bydevice 202 if the device is present in the conference room. Theultrasound challenge process of FIG. 2 gives wireless projector 204reliable indication that device 202 is present in the room. An impostoroutside the room cannot pass the ultrasound challenge test. At step 216,device 202 responds to wireless projector 204 by authenticating thecode. Device 202 may respond to the ultrasound challenge with a signalin the first or second communication modes.

Authentication is not limited to ultrasound. Device 202 may transmit aBT/BLE, Wi-Fi, cellular, infrared or other signals to confirminformation contained in the ultrasound code. Once the authenticationcode is received and verified, at step 218, device 202 and wirelessprojector 204 are paired. It should be noted that authentication mayproceed using different wireless signals. For example, instead ofultrasound, authentication may be performed using a BT/BLE signal whilethe remaining communication signals are exchanged through Wi-Fi orcellular signals. In another embodiment, infrared signaling may be usedas a communication mode such that infrared signal may be issued bywireless projector 204 and detected by an infrared light sensorassociated with device 202. Infrared light, similar to ultrasound, willnot penetrate a wall and will not engage wireless devices outside theconference room.

At optional step 220, the room information and any additionalinformation obtained from wireless projector 204 may be used to updateconference software (not shown). Step 220 may be implemented right afterstep 206 and need not necessarily occur after the pairing process. Asstated, the conference software may comprise any conventional softwareapplication configured for multiple user audio and video communication.An exemplary communication software is Microsoft Lync® by MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond Wash. Once mobile device 202 obtains the roominformation, its communication application may be updated with theconference room telephone number in its call menu. As stated, aproximity detector may detect the user device and initiatecommunication. The user may select the appropriate communicationsoftware to open the dialog box.

FIG. 3 illustrates a screenshot of proximity detection meeting and callinformation updated in an exemplary communication software. The dialogbox shown at FIG. 3 my open after step 203 on the user's device. In FIG.3, the conference room number 8-765-7604 is inserted in the call menu bythe proximity detection page of the conference software. As stated inrelation to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the conference roominformation (e.g., conference telephone numbers) may be discovered fromroom information. This feature enables a seamless, single-click, processto join the conference call.

With the room information on user device (e.g., laptop, tablet,smartphone or STA), the device may configure itself with a proximityfilter and pair with, or control, the conference room equipment. Theuser device may also provide information to a communication hub (IT hub)to update the conference room occupation information. The communicationhub may include one or more servers configured to schedule conferenceroom availability and scheduling.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an exemplary application according to oneembodiment of the disclosure for automated dimming of conference roomlight during a presentation. Once pairing between the user's mobiledevice and a wireless projector has been established (e.g., FIG. 2), thewireless projector may be configured to automatically dim the conferenceroom lights based on the user's action. For example, FIG. 4 shows thepresenter's screen shot. In one embodiment, the slideshow button may belinked to the conference room's light control system. Thus, when thepresenter gives indication that a video presentation is about to begin(e.g., by placing curser on the slide show button as shown on FIG. 4),the software application may display an option to dim the lights in theconference room. The optional light control can be enabled upon enteringor ending the slide or video modes.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary representation of an environment according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. In FIG. 5, wireless projector 510 acts asboth the projector and the wireless gateway (or wireless sensor) to theconference room such that a separate conference room hub is not needed.Wireless projector 510 may communicate with internet 524 through AP 526.

In one embodiment, the user initiates the in-room detection and pairingto wireless projector 510 with just one click. User device 516 may alsodiscover room information as discussed above. Conference room devicesmay include wireless projection screen 512, computer 520, telephoneconference station 518, user tablet 516 and wireless wall switch 514.The user may manually initiate connection to projector (which maytrigger pairing process). Once pairing and room information is providedto the host user's device (e.g., table 516), the following exemplaryactions may be performed:

First, device 516 may be updated such that only devices in the room aredisplayed for possible pairing. In one implementation only one pairingis needed for all the resources in the room. Room sensor in a conferenceroom may only have access to the display devices present in the sameroom. The room sensor may limit the display to devices that have correctroom information (e.g., Room No. RNB604) in the description (e.g.,Projector RNB604).

Second, the in-room information may be further used by a conferencingsoftware application to automatically update the room informationthrough an enterprise communications application. The telephone numberof the conference room may also be updated directly to thecommunications application so that users do not need to manually enterthe conference room telephone number in the communication application.Attendees may use the communications application to directly telephonethe designated conference room with a single click.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the option to update conferenceroom information may come up on mobile device 516 after detectingwireless projector 510. The user may select the option to connect towireless projector 510 and then dial into the bridge with one clickusing, for example, the communication application. If user enters theslide show mode, mobile device 516 may popup a dialog box to ask whetherto dim the lights and/or roll down the projection screen. If the userresponds negatively, then no additional action is required from wirelesswall switch 514 or projection screen 512. If the user respondsaffirmatively, then wireless wall switch 514 may take necessary steps todim the lights. The wireless projection screen 512 may also be rolleddown. When the user leaves the slide show mode, the dialog box on mobiledevice 516 may ask whether to turn the lights back on and/or to roll upprojection screen 512 to complete the presentation.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram for implementing an embodiment ofthe disclosure. The steps of FIG. 6 may be implemented in a wirelessconferencing environment similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Thewireless conferencing environment may include wireless projectionscreen, wireless projector, wireless computers and/or tablets,smartphone, telephone conference stations, wireless-actuated lightswitches and one or more sensor hubs. As shown in FIG. 6, implementation600 may include an antenna module 602, a transceiver module 604, and ahost module 606. These elements may be implemented in hardware, softwareor any combination thereof.

The process of FIG. 6 starts at step 610 where a conference attendee(e.g., presenter) initiates the one-click process for in room detectionand for accessing room resources. The room sensor and the user's displaydevice (e.g., tablet 516, FIG. 5) may then initiate the pairing process.Through the pairing process, the user's device may detect roominformation including location, conference telephone number andavailability of other wireless devices. Step 610 may optionally includeupdating the communication system to reflect the room information. Forexample, the communication system may be automatically revised toindicate occupancy of the room and update teleconferencing information.

At step 615, a dialog box pops up on the user's display device todisplay configuration options. The options may be configured to includea number of conference related questions. An option may be to aid withconference room environment configuration such as entering presentationmode or dimming the conference room lights.

One of the options may be asking the user whether to connect to awireless projector (512, FIG. 5) inside the conference room. This optionis displayed as step 620 and if the user is the presenter, the user'sdevice can be connected to the wireless projector. At step 625, the userdials into the conference room bridge. In one embodiment, the user dialsinto the bridge using the one-click option from the corporatecommunication software. As discussed, the corporate communicationapplication may be updated at the time of device pairing (step 610). Thecredentials of the user's device maybe used to verify identity of theuser. For example, if the device serial number or other identificationmeans match existing records, then the pairing process may allow theuser's device to access conferencing menu and update corporatecommunication software as needed. The one-click dialing allows theconference room host to press a link on the mobile device to therebydial and sign into the conference room bridge. This obviates the need tophysically dial numbers into the conference room telephone and thenverify user identity by using conference leader identification number orother verification means.

At step 630, the user is given the option of starting the slide showmode by displaying a pop-up dialog window requesting user's input. Thepop-up dialog window may ask the user whether to dim the conference roomlights and/or to roll down the wireless projection screen. If the userdoes not require presentation mode, the appropriate selection can bemade at step 635. This option may be selected if the conference is anaudio conference. If the user elects to present video information, theappropriate selection may be made, and at step 640, the room isconfigured for presentation mode. The presentation mode may includedimming the lights and rolling down a presentation screen.

At step 645, the user's video presentation may come to an end and theuser may respond to an inquiry to this effect. If the presentation isended, then at step 650, the wireless projector may be turned off, thescreen rolled up and the lights turned back on again. If thepresentation is not ended, then the presentation mode continues as shownby arrow 647.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an exemplary device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. Device 700 of FIG. 7 includes host module706, transmitter 708, receiver 710 and antenna module 702. Antennamodule 702 enables exchange of wireless signals with remote devices.Antenna module 702 may transmit wireless signals through one or moredirectional radiation patterns. Thus, antenna module 702 may includemultiple antennas and/or multiple radiating elements (e.g., phased-arrayradiating elements).

Transceiver module 704 provides an interface between antenna module 702and host module 706. Transceiver module 704 may include transmittercircuitry 708 and receiver circuitry 710. Each of transmitter andreceiver circuitries may be configured to receive one or more signals.Transmitter circuitry 708 within transceiver module 704 receives symbolsfrom host module 706 and generates corresponding signals for wirelesstransmission by antenna module 702. This may involve operations, such asmodulation, amplification and filtering. Conversely, receiver circuitry710 within transceiver module 704 obtains signals received by antennamodule 702 and generates corresponding symbols. In turn, receiverportion 710 provides symbols to host module 706. This generation ofsymbols may involve operations, including demodulation, amplificationand/or filtering.

The symbols exchanged between host module 706 and transceiver module 704may form messages or information associated with one or more protocolsand/or one or more user applications. For example, host module 706 mayperform operations corresponding to such protocol(s) and/or userapplication(s) that enable wireless conferencing as discussed above.Further, exemplary protocols include various media access, network,transport and/or session layer protocols. Exemplary user applicationsinclude telephony, messaging, email and web browsing, content (e.g.,video and audio) distribution/reception.

Host module 706 may exchange control information with transceiver module704. The control information may pertain to the operation and status oftransceiver module 704 including communication with the conference roomsensor hub. For example, the control information may include directivesthat host module 706 sends to transceiver module 704 to connect to awireless projector (or the conference room sensor hub) and to executesteps necessary to start a phone conference. Such directives mayestablish operating parameters/characteristics for transceiver module704. The control information may also include data (e.g., operationalstatus information) that host module 706 receives from transceivermodule 704. It may further incorporate commands and messages thatenables the techniques described in exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-6.

In an exemplary embodiment, host module 706 includes one or moreprocessor circuitry to communicate with the one or more radios intransceiver 704. In one embodiment, the host module communicates with auser's wireless device. The processor circuitry may support severalexecutable logics to implement the exemplary steps of FIGS. 2 and 6. Byway of example, the processor circuity my comprise a first logic toreceive a request for pairing from a mobile device. The processorcircuitry may comprise a second logic to transmit information in a firstcommunication mode. The first communication mode may comprise a BT orBLE signal with indication that a code challenge will be transmittedthrough a second communication mode. The second communication mode maycomprise ultrasound or infrared signaling. The antenna module 702 may beconfigured with a plurality of reception capabilities to accommodate BT,BLE, Wi-Fi, cellular or ultrasound signals. The antenna module may alsoinclude optical receiver circuitry to receive and process infraredsignaling.

The processor circuitry may include a third logic to pair the wirelessequipment with the mobile device after a successful response to the codechallenge is received. The third logic may be configured to issue aresponse to the mobile device using one of the first or the secondcommunication modes.

Transmitter 708 may generate signals from symbols processed by logicunits of host module 706. Receiver 710 may generate symbols from signalsreceived at antenna module 702. To provide such features, transmitterportion 708 and receiver 710 may each include various componentsincluding modulators, demodulators, amplifiers, filters, buffers,upconverters and/or downconveters. Such components may be implemented inhardware (e.g., electronics), software or any combination thereof.

The techniques described herein may be embodied in a computer-readablemedium for configuring a computing system to execute the method. Thecomputer readable media may include, for example and without limitation,any number of the following: magnetic storage media including disk andtape storage media; optical storage media such as compact disc media(e.g., CD-ROM, CD-R, etc.) and digital video disk storage media;holographic memory; nonvolatile memory storage media includingsemiconductor-based memory units such as FLASH memory, EEPROM, EPROM,ROM; ferromagnetic digital memories; volatile storage media includingregisters, buffers or caches, main memory, RAM, etc.; and datatransmission media including permanent and intermittent computernetworks, point-to-point telecommunication equipment, carrier wavetransmission media and the Internet, just to name a few. Other new andvarious types of computer-readable media may be used to store and/ortransmit the software modules discussed herein. Computing systems may befound in many forms including but not limited to mainframes,minicomputers, servers, workstations, personal computers, notepads,personal digital assistants, various wireless devices and embeddedsystems, just to name a few. A typical computing system includes atleast one processing unit, associated memory and a number ofinput/output (I/O) devices. A computing system processes informationaccording to a program and produces resultant output information via I/Odevices.

Realizations in accordance with the present invention have beendescribed in the context of particular embodiments. These embodimentsare meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations,modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly,plural instances may be provided for components described herein as asingle instance. Boundaries between various components, operations anddata stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations areillustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations.Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall withinthe scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionalitypresented as discrete components in the various configurations may beimplemented as a combined structure or component. These and othervariations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

The following non-limiting examples further illustrate some of theinventive embodiments of the disclosure. Example 1 is directed to atangible machine-readable non-transitory storage medium that containsinstructions, which when executed by one or more processors results inperforming operations comprising: receiving a request to pair a mobiledevice to a wireless equipment in a conference room; obtaining locationinformation for the conference room; transmitting a request to pair withthe wireless equipment; receiving information in a first communicationmode that a code challenge will be transmitted through a secondcommunication mode; receiving the code challenge in the secondcommunication mode, the code challenge comprising authenticationinformation; and transmitting authentication information in response tothe code challenge to thereby pair the mobile device with the wirelessequipment in the conference room.

Example 2 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the first communication mode is oneof Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), cellular or Wi-Ficommunication and wherein the second communication mode is one ofultrasound or infrared communication.

Example 3 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the instructions to connect amobile device to a wireless equipment further causes the one or moreprocessors to dial a conference telephone number through a single-clickexecution.

Example 4 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the instructions further cause theone or more processors to receive the first signal at the mobile device.

Example 5 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the request to pair further causesthe one or more processors to detect a wireless equipment and transmitthe request to pair to the wireless equipment.

Example 6 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the instructions further cause theone or more processors to avail a projection screen or to dim aconference room light.

Example 7 is directed to the tangible machine-readable non-transitorystorage medium of example 1, wherein the instructions further cause theone or more processors to update conference room occupancy information.

Example 8 is directed to a mobile device comprising one or moreprocessors and circuitry, the circuitry including: a first logic toreceive instructions to connect the mobile device to a wirelessequipment in a conference room; a second logic to obtain conference roominformation; a third logic to transmit a request to pair the mobiledevice with a wireless equipment in the conference room, the third logicfurther configured to: receive information in a first communication modethat a code challenge will be transmitted through a second communicationmode, receive a code challenge in the second communication mode, andpair the mobile device with the wireless equipment after a successfulcode challenge authentication.

Example 9 is directed to the mobile device of example 8, wherein each ofthe first, second and third logic is initiated by a one-click executioncommand at the mobile device.

Example 10 is directed to the mobile device of example 8, wherein thefirst communication mode is one of Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE), cellular or Wi-Fi communication and wherein the secondcommunication mode is one of ultrasound or infrared communication.

Example 11 is directed to the mobile device of example 8, wherein thefirst logic is configured to update a communication software to includea conference room telephone number.

Example 12 is directed to the mobile device of example 8, wherein thefirst logic is further configured to detect a proximal wirelessequipment and to communicate with the second logic when the proximalwireless equipment is detected.

Example 13 is directed to the mobile device of example 8, wherein thethird logic is further configured to avail a projection screen or to dima conference room light prior to the video conference.

Example 14 is directed to a wireless equipment in a conference room,comprising: one or more antennas; one or more radios to communicate withthe one or more antennas; and one or more processors and circuitry tocommunicate with the one or more radios, the circuitry configured toexecute: a first logic to receive a request for pairing from a mobiledevice; a second logic to transmit information in a first communicationmode that a code challenge will be transmitted through a secondcommunication mode; and a third logic to pair the wireless equipmentwith the mobile device after a successful response to the code challengeissued in the second communication mode is received.

Example 15 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinthe first communication mode is one of Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE), cellular or Wi-Fi communication and wherein the secondcommunication mode is one of ultrasound or infrared communication.

Example 16 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinthe first logic is configured to update a communication software toinclude a conference room telephone number.

Example 17 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinthe first logic is further configured to detect a proximal mobile deviceand to communicate with the second logic when the proximal mobile deviceis detected.

Example 18 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinthe third logic is further configured to avail a projection screen or todim a conference room light prior to the video conference.

Example 19 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinthe one or more antennas further comprise a first antenna to receive aBT or a BLE signal and a second antenna to receive a cellular or a Wi-Fisignal.

Example 20 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, furthercomprising an optical receiver configured to receive an optical signaland a microphone to receive an ultrasound signal.

Example 21 is directed to the wireless equipment of example 14, whereinat least one of the one or more radios is configured to receive andprocess an ultrasound signal.

While the principles of the disclosure have been illustrated in relationto the exemplary embodiments shown herein, the principles of thedisclosure are not limited thereto and include any modification,variation or permutation thereof.

1. (canceled)
 2. An apparatus comprising: memory to store instructions;and at least one processor to execute the instructions to at least:provide information to a mobile device in response to a request from themobile device in a room, the information including an identification ofthe apparatus in the room; pair, based on the information, with themobile device; and enable, while paired, control of the apparatus in theroom by the mobile device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, furtherincluding a wireless projector.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein themobile device is at least one of a smartphone or a tablet computer. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, further including a wireless sensor to detectthe mobile device.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, further including afirst transceiver to communicate in a first communication mode and asecond transceiver to communicate in a second communication mode.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the first communication mode is to detectthe mobile device and the second communication mode is to pair with themobile device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is oneof a plurality of wireless devices in the room, each of the plurality ofwireless devices selectable by the mobile device.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one processor is to periodically broadcastthe information in the room.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theat least one processor is to facilitate an update of the mobile devicebased on the information.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the atleast one processor is to facilitate an update of the apparatus based onthe pairing with the mobile device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein control of the apparatus includes, in a presentation mode,adjusting lighting and a projection screen in the room by the mobiledevice.
 13. At least one storage device comprising instructions that,when executed, cause a wireless projector to at least: provideinformation to a mobile device in response to a request from the mobiledevice in a room, the information including an identification of thewireless projector in the room; pair, based on the information, with themobile device; and enable, while paired, control of the wirelessprojector in the room by the mobile device.
 14. The at least one storagedevice of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is at least one of asmartphone or a tablet computer, wherein the wireless projector is oneof a plurality of wireless devices in the room, each of the plurality ofwireless devices selectable by the mobile device, and wherein theinstructions, when executed, cause the wireless projector toperiodically broadcast the information in the room.
 15. The at least onestorage device of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed,cause the wireless projector to facilitate an update of the mobiledevice based on the information.
 16. The at least one storage device ofclaim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wirelessprojector to facilitate an update of the wireless projector based on thepairing with the mobile device.
 17. The at least one storage device ofclaim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wirelessprojector to, in a presentation mode, facilitate adjustment of lightingand a projection screen in the room by the mobile device.
 18. A methodto control equipment in a room, the method comprising: providing, byexecuting an instruction using at least one processor, information to amobile device in response to a request from the mobile device in theroom, the information including an identification of equipment in theroom; pairing, based on the information and by executing an instructionusing the at least one processor, with the mobile device; and enabling,while paired and by executing an instruction using at least oneprocessor, control of the equipment by the mobile device.
 19. The methodof claim 18, further including facilitating an update of the mobiledevice based on the information.
 20. The method of claim 18, whereinenabling control includes, in a presentation mode, facilitatingadjustment of lighting and a projection screen in the room by the mobiledevice.
 21. The method of claim 18, further including facilitating anupdate of at least one of the mobile device or the equipment.